New to forum and to gardening !!!!

Hi Everyone

We are new to the forum and also to gardening :D

Said hi in the welcome section and again thanks to Marley Farley for the welcome.

Well the attached images are of our new house which we move into in about 3-4 weeks. The garden we would like is lowish maintanence probably borders and lawn only maybe one new shed for tools etc

However we would definetly like a pond and an area for sitting in maybe 2 depending on budget as house is in same state as garden we should have a conservatory and decking area.

The garden is North facing so as I understand South facing is good ...this must be bad.

It is certainly going to take some time and some very hard work but hopefully with our own ideas and lots of help from everyone on here, we hope to have something that we can enjoy and be a part of.

Here are the pics as promised :D












[ 23. January 2006, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: DaveJules ]

 

Hi there - thanks for the pictures - depressing in one way (fence, glass, shed, dead or dying plants) but not in another - blank canvas, and a greenhouse mmmmmmm.

I would reinforce the advise already given, that you go to a library or garden centre and browse small gardens - to see what kind would give you both pleasure both winter and summer. Its important at this time to try and get a feel of what your imaginary garden should look like, and what you would use it for. You say you would like a pond, and somewhere to sit - so at the moment that sounds like a chill out area.


North facing is not a huge problem, just means that your light levels will be low when the sun is low in the sky. South facing, if and when the sun shines, at least light is better.

[ 23. January 2006, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: Fran ]

 

Hi Fran

We pretty much have an idea of what we want but with a budget that is almost certainly going to be used up on the interior of the house we may have to do garden in stages. :rolleyes:

Our priority I think is to replace fence as I imagine the neighbours can't be to happy.

The greenhouse is going probably as a freebie to anyone who will take it down :D

The left side of the garden as you look at the bottom picture we have decided to put in a largish raised pond. Which (design permitting) will be able to be sat upon. The pond will be accessible from all sides and the ground around will be covered with gravel. The new shed will be at the far end of that left handside garden section.

The right side after removal of everything :eek:
will be laid to lawn with a border and connecting the left and right side of the garden will be a path.

The only trees/plants that we have seen and would like are a willow tree and a red maple (not sure on the latter but Jules wants one :confused: ).

Then there is just a decking area and a small consewrvatory to be added to the house which is basically behind u as u look at the pics. So should be done in a week lol :D

p.s. no ideas on willows or red maples requirements haven't looked up yet they are just on wish list at present.

Cheers

Dave

 

Good sounds like you got the bones of the garden fairly clear in your mind and I would agree that both you and your neighbour will benefit from doing the fence. Tip though- use concrete posts, they last longer - don't rot. I would strongly suggest that you do not lose the greenhouse yet - could come in very handy for both growing from seed and cuttings which can be a very cheap way of growing plants.

As for the willow and maple. Be very careful about the willow (salix) - your garden is a tad small for some varieties, whose roots can be a problem close to buildings - and they can be thirsty. If Jules is thinking of the willows that grow by a river then the only way to grow one in your garden would be in a container to ensure it does not grow too big.

Red Maple - could be a number of things - it could be she's thinking of acer palmatum (? spelling. For light airy trees, take a look at some of the birches - their bark can be good in the winter too.

If you've decided where the border is to be, nothing to stop you doing that during the spring and filling with annuals to give you some colour when your resting during the summer after your labours in the house - or plant up a few tubs.

 

Hi, must agree with Fran on the willow, there are well behaved shrub varieties such a 'Gracilis' which look great by water. Good luck

 

Also you can get light-weight concrete posts for about the same price as regular ones, less effort & your neighbours will think that you are immensely strong.

 

tanalised wooden posts will last forever and are easier to nail things to
ps i agree about greenhouse it look awfull cos of plastic sheeting and old staging...remove both and look again

 

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replys

Jules is going to look into the info you have given Fran to see if she can identify the tree she wants.

As for the willow I think it will be the one that grows next to rivers so we will definetly as suggested plant in a container.

Good idea about the greenhouse Fran but unfortunately we need to lift that whole area as it is concrete slabs to put in soil and lawn so it has to go :( we will probably regret it at some point in the future. But hopefully someone will give it a happy home. :D

Well hopefully be in in about 4 weeks will take pics as we go and hopefully you will continue to keep us right :D

Cheers

Dave

 

We shall look forward to hearing the progress :D

 

Hi all

Just to confirm the info that Fran gave is indeed the red maple that i am after, here is a link (hopefully)

http://www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=109&CategoryID=

Jules